NZ trade negotiator in hot seat as zero-hour nears

Crawford Falconer, the new chairman of the WTO's agriculture committee. Picture / Fotopress

New Zealand diplomat Crawford Falconer has just months to find the solution to pivotal global agriculture negotiations which his predecessor, Tim Groser, was cut out of after he signalled that he would enter national politics.

Falconer - who was yesterday confirmed as chairman of the World Trade Organisation's agriculture committee - takes up the hot seat ahead of a major Hong Kong meeting in December which will decide the fate of the Doha round.

Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said the decision to appoint Falconer reflected positively on New Zealand's reputation in world trade negotiations.

"I have worked closely with Crawford throughout the Doha negotiations and I have the highest regard for his abilities, which are internationally recognised," said Sutton.

Groser - who warned on Friday that hard choices were needed in three areas: domestic support, export competition and market access - fought a rearguard action to stay on in Geneva in a personal capacity until December, when his WTO term was due to expire.

Groser secured approval from National leader Don Brash to stay on at the WTO and forgo joining other party list candidates on the hustings.

But a Government-led campaign - in which Wellington twice made it clear that the Cabinet would not countenance Groser continuing after the WTO's August break - scuttled his chances.

The upshot is that Labour finessed National by ousting Groser and denying its political opponents any reflected glory that might have come their way if the former ambassador had later managed to cement a deal.

Sutton yesterday tried to rise above the fray by congratulating Groser on his term as agriculture chairman.

"Unfortunately, there has not been the breakthrough we all hoped would come in these negotiations," said Sutton. "This is no reflection on Groser - he did what he had done throughout his career: used his skill and creativity to try and thread his way through some very difficult issues: "The fact is the parties failed the chair."

Deputy US Trade Representative Peter Allgeier was more fulsome. "We salute Tim Groser and are most grateful for his outstanding efforts to build on the July 2004 framework."

Groser has been considered to be a shoo-in for either the foreign affairs or trade portfolio if National wins the election. But former trade minister Lockwood Smith is understood to fancy another go in the globe-trotting portfolio.

There is speculation that the foreign affairs slot should be reserved as bait for NZ First Leader Winston Peters during negotiations to form a coalition government.

The smart money is now on National first blooding Groser by using his negotiating skill to resolve outstanding Treaty of Waitangi grievances.

Yesterday, Earl Rattray - who is chairman the Dairy Companies Association - said it was a tribute to the calibre of this country's diplomats and standing in the trade community that two New Zealanders in a row had been appointed to such a key role in the WTO negotiations.